Cruise WestSouth Sea Island SanctuariesFrom the romantic and spectacularly beautiful Society Islands we sail through pristine cobalt blue waters to the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands. Here we'll explore the great variety of dramatic volcanic and coral islands, fjord-like bays, and atolls that make these islands a naturalist's paradise, and meet many of the locals whose rich cultural heritage is evident in the fascinating archaeological ruins dotting the countryside. Recommended for:
Cruise Highlights
The ShipCruise West's flagship, the all-suite 114-guest Spirit of Oceanus, features spacious guest suites (many with private teak-floored balconies), outside viewing areas on four of the five guest-level decks, as well as a beautifully appointed dining room, library and lounges. Guests enjoy spacious walk-in closets or wardrobes, marble vanities, and deluxe sitting rooms in all suites. Oceangoing stabilizers open new horizons for up-close small-ship cruising.Detailed ItineraryDay 1 ARRIVE IN TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDSTransfer to the luxurious InterContinental Resort Tahiti and spend the remainder of your evening at your leisure. Day 2 TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS Aita pea pea – no problem! That’s the attitude in Papeete, a place once immortalized by Gaughin and Michener. Spend the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, the Paul Gauguin Museum and the former home of James Norman Hall, author of Mutiny on the Bounty. Visit the 150-year-old municipal market, a cacophony of colors, smells and sounds, before boarding the Spirit of Oceanus and sailing out at sunset. Day 3 BORA BORA, SOCIETY ISLANDS Emerald mountains, white sand beaches and sheltered turquoise lagoons define perfection on Bora Bora. Take a tour of the island’s colorful villages, archeological sites and World War II relics, or glide over colorful reef in a glass bottom boat, swim with gentle stingrays and watch a wild shark feeding. Stroll the quaint streets of Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main village. Day 4 RANGIROA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS You won’t believe how many fish abide in the clean, fresh waters of the Tuamotus! The second largest atoll in the world, Rangiroa offers some of the best swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in the South Pacific. When you’re not exploring the underwater world, stroll through a local village, soaking up the slow, tropical pace of life. Day 5 TAKAPOTO, TUAMOTU ISLANDS Have you ever wondered how the rare black pearl is cultivated? Takapoto is the island where the “gem of the South Seas” was first farmed. Visit a local pearl farm, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the industry. Keep an eye out for the endemic atoll fruitdove, and spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling Takapoto’s crystal-clear, turquoise lagoon. Day 6 AT SEA Bask in the amenities of the Spirit of Oceanus as she cruises between islands. Exploration Leaders and Guest Speakers will whet your appetite for the natural history and cultures you are about to experience. Day 7 UA HUKA, THE MARQUESAS Thousands of seabirds inhabit Ua Huka’s surrounding islets. As you approach, breathe in the smell of fresh herbs and wild cotton that blanket the hills of the southern coast. Bounce along dirt roads on a four-wheel-drive tour of the island’s lush interior, the Museum of Vaipee and the villages of Hane and Hokato, where traditional woodcarving is still a fine art. Ancient petroglyphs and red rock tikis, or carved talisman, reveal life on Ua Huka tracking back to 300 AD. Day 8 HIVA OA, THE MARQUESAS The largest and most fertile island in the southern Marquesas, Hiva Oa is chiseled with deep valleys, fertile plateaus and lush forests. In Paumau, visit the Oipona me’ae temple, home of Takaii, an eight-foot-tall stone tiki, the largest in French Polynesia. Enjoy a special performance by the villagers and tour the Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel Cultural Centers. Hiva Oa was where Gauguin spent the last years of his life (many of his descendents still live on the island), and you’ll have the chance to visit his grave. Day 9 FATU HIVA, THE MARQUESAS Learn about Marquesian culture here, on an island where artists are reviving traditional crafts including intricately carved wood bowls and war clubs. This is the only place in French Polynesia where they still make tapa, beaten bark cloth. Villagers perform their traditional dances, demonstrate their handicrafts and explain their traditional tattoos. Tattooing reached its zenith in the Marquesas, where it was used to express personality, social status, and to protect against evil spirits. Day 10 AT SEA Day 11 FAKARAVA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS This protected atoll and its six neighboring islands make up a UNESCO-classified nature reserve. Fakarava is home to the rare hunting kingfisher and Tuamotu palm and is the haunt of countless dolphins, rays, squills and sea cicadas. Snorkel the Tumakohua Pass and enjoy local village cultural and handicraft demonstrations. Day 12 TAHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark and check into individual day rooms at the InterContinental Resort. Spend the afternoon at your leisure before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home. Cost of This Trip11 Night tripThe least expensive cabin costs: $414 per person per night The most expensive stateroom costs: $1032 pp pn |
